David Nelson, mridangam, has been performing
and teaching South Indian drumming since 1975. From his principal teacher,
the renowned T.
Ranganathan, he learned to accompany a wide range of styles, including
Bharata Natyam, South India's classical dance. He has a Ph.D. in Ethnomusicology
from Wesleyan University, where he is Artist in Residence in South Indian
drumming. He has accompanied well-known artists throughout the United States,
Europe, India, and China. He has also written extensively on South Indian
drumming, including a major article in the Garland Encyclopedia of World
Music. His latest recording is Vocal Music of
South India, accompanying Wesleyan colleague B. Balasubrahmaniyan.